Enhance your and your family’s wellbeing through play and nature exploration.

A morning class will give the adults time to learn and practice a range of meditations, while the children enjoy fun activities with our children’s co-ordinator.

In the afternoon families will have time to practice mindfulness together as well experiencing the joy of a range of nature archetypes.

The Garden of Mindfulness is a family retreat for all ages. Inclusive of all families, it is an opportunity to become familiar with the benefits of being in the present moment and unfolding through play and exploration. GOM offers a rare opportunity to share a retreat space with our families.

This year GOM will run for 7 nights from 6pm 28th December 2018 to 2pm 4th January 2019. We ask that people attend the whole retreat if possible. If you have any skills or talents you would like to contribute please let us know. We look forward to sharing this retreat with you and your family. For further information, contact Course Manager Lara: laracusdin@yahoo.co.nz

Opportunity: We are looking for a Children’s Co-ordinator, if you are interested in this role please contact Lara.

Following the previous four years of successful teachings, Mira Riddiford will be leading the the morning adults’ classes and afternoon family explorations.

About Mira Riddiford, the Mindfulness Teacher: Mirais a meditation and mindfulness teacher who gives classes and retreats throughout New Zealand. With over 20 years of experience, she has been trained through retreat work, study and apprenticeship. Mira has taught mindfulness in education at primary and secondary level, as well as to school teachers. Her modern, warm and engaging style breathes life into these meditation teachings. Mira is respectful of diversity, is LGBTQI friendly, and her two children and partner will also be participating on the retreat. She looks forward to meeting and meditating with you.

Dana for the Mindfulness Teacher: So people from different income brackets can benefit from this retreat, no set fee is put on Mira Riddiford’s teachings. Please give generously according to your means, taking into account Mira has a family to provide for and that meditation teachings are her primary income you could use as a guide $20 – $60 per day (with the understanding that everyone’s circumstances are different).

Healing Goddesses Online Introductory Workshop with Mira Riddiford

And coming up: A longer 4 week online series in September. A 7 day retreat at Origins Retreat Centre (Chimé Shore) near Perth, Australia around Easter 2019. Southland, NZ 2019 dates soon to be announced.

Meditations that encourage
wellness, clarity of mind and joy

Learn how to go into deep meditation with healing ancient Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Norse goddesses. A rare opportunity to experience a Western form of empowerment and transformation.

More about this work

Aphrodite

Samuel Taylor Coleridge wrote of how important it is ‘to keep the heart awake to love and beauty.’ Love is healing – to feel loved is to feel divine. This very human impulse to love, and be loved, is the honouring of the goddess Aphrodite. In ancient Greece (and through her counterpart goddess Venus in ancient Rome) this spiritual love was honoured in a higher form, and many temples were built in her name. These places had an atmosphere which cultivated healing for what weighed on peoples’ hearts. It is possible to still feel this healing experience now.

Athena

It has been said that ‘Justice is a woman satisfied’. Many ancient texts speak of the divine feminine and masculine energy dwelling in people of all genders. To consciously house these energies is to be empowered in wisdom. By integrating what is unknown in our shadow, we can then create a life filled with compassionate understanding. Humans can then empathise more easily with others, and life can contain less suffering. In ancient Greece, the goddess of wisdom was known as Athena. As a strategist and protector, she was called to help on battlefields. Carved on Athena’s statues are many symbols which explain a path to protecting and healing your heart, body, and mind. All you need is the key.

Artemis

The ability to protect oneself and provide nourishment resonates with our fundamental survival instinct. Many would say that we need the wisdom of this goddess of the hunt more than ever. As we explore Artemis further, are we ready for her challenge? ‘Stop complaining and start aiming!’ Artemis is the goddess of the forests and mountainous wild lands. A moon goddess, she is a protector in childbirth, of nine year old girls (who were called her “little she-bears”) and relieving women’s ill health. Always virginal, she was self-wed, free to roam and be true to herself. To connect with the qualities of Artemis within yourself is to ‘come alive again’ and have sharp, clear mental focus.

Meditation Teacher

Mira Riddiford is a meditation and mindfulness teacher who runs retreats and series in New Zealand. Her online classes have participants joining from North America, Europe and Asia. With more than 20 years of daily practice, Mira has been trained through retreat work, study and apprenticeship in the Namgyal Rinpoche stream of teachings. She has a close ongoing relationship/association with the Wangapeka Study and Retreat Centre and the Auckland Sphere Group.

Having worked in creative fields, Mira enjoys how mindfulness can enhance the arts, and she is respectful of diversity in all its forms. Mira focuses on the relevance of mindfulness in modern daily living, and how it can help with stress relief, calm and wellbeing. She specialises in making teachings on Western Mysteries, archetypal integration and non-duality available. (There’s no problem if you don’t know what any of that means!) Her contemporary, warm and engaging style breathes life into these meditation teachings.

Mira is passionate about meditation teachings on ancient Gods and Goddesses and how these teachings can work as a map for personal development. You can find out more about her work here: www.westernmysticism.com

Meditations that encourage
wellness, clarity of mind and joy

Embedded within the Tarot are esoteric symbols that reveal deeper mysteries upon reflection. These symbols map a way to a larger sense of wellbeing, healing and freedom from suffering.

In this four week series learn how to go into deep meditation with healing ancient Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Norse gods and goddesses. A rare opportunity to experience a western form of empowerment and transformation.

More about this work

Every Wednesday evening we will explore ancient contemplations together, developing a sense of community and intention along the way. Experience directly how these meditations can help, heal and empower us to engage more easefully in daily life. These urban retreats provide tools to support your mindfulness throughout the day.

Healing Goddesses Online Introductory Workshop with Mira Riddiford

in person, online or watch the recording

11 August 2018, 11am – 12.30pm
in person venue: Kingsland, Auckland
(this timing is to work in with Canadian participants who will join in live at the same time at 10 August 2018, 7pm Eastern Daylight Time)

And coming up: A longer 4 week online series in September. A workshop at Christchurch Women’s Centre, 3 November 2018. A 7 day retreat at Origins Retreat Centre (Chimé Shore) near Perth, Australia around Easter 2019. Southland, NZ 2019 dates soon to be announced.

Meditations that encourage
wellness, clarity of mind and joy

Learn how to go into deep meditation with healing ancient Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Norse goddesses. A rare opportunity to experience a Western form of empowerment and transformation.

More about this work

Aphrodite

Samuel Taylor Coleridge wrote of how important it is ‘to keep the heart awake to love and beauty.’ Love is healing – to feel loved is to feel divine. This very human impulse to love, and be loved, is the honouring of the goddess Aphrodite. In ancient Greece (and through her counterpart goddess Venus in ancient Rome) this spiritual love was honoured in a higher form, and many temples were built in her name. These places had an atmosphere which cultivated healing for what weighed on peoples’ hearts. It is possible to still feel this healing experience now.

Athena

It has been said that ‘Justice is a woman satisfied’. Many ancient texts speak of the divine feminine and masculine energy dwelling in people of all genders. To consciously house these energies is to be empowered in wisdom. By integrating what is unknown in our shadow, we can then create a life filled with compassionate understanding. Humans can then empathise more easily with others, and life can contain less suffering. In ancient Greece, the goddess of wisdom was known as Athena. As a strategist and protector, she was called to help on battlefields. Carved on Athena’s statues are many symbols which explain a path to protecting and healing your heart, body, and mind. All you need is the key.

Artemis

The ability to protect oneself and provide nourishment resonates with our fundamental survival instinct. Many would say that we need the wisdom of this goddess of the hunt more than ever. As we explore Artemis further, are we ready for her challenge? ‘Stop complaining and start aiming!’ Artemis is the goddess of the forests and mountainous wild lands. A moon goddess, she is a protector in childbirth, of nine year old girls (who were called her “little she-bears”) and relieving women’s ill health. Always virginal, she was self-wed, free to roam and be true to herself. To connect with the qualities of Artemis within yourself is to ‘come alive again’ and have sharp, clear mental focus.

Meditation Teacher

Mira Riddiford is a meditation and mindfulness teacher who runs retreats and series in New Zealand. Her online classes have participants joining from North America, Europe and Asia. With more than 20 years of daily practice, Mira has been trained through retreat work, study and apprenticeship in the Namgyal Rinpoche stream of teachings. She has a close ongoing relationship/association with the Wangapeka Study and Retreat Centre and the Auckland Sphere Group.

Having worked in creative fields, Mira enjoys how mindfulness can enhance the arts, and she is respectful of diversity in all its forms. Mira focuses on the relevance of mindfulness in modern daily living, and how it can help with stress relief, calm and wellbeing. She specialises in making teachings on Western Mysteries, archetypal integration and non-duality available. (There’s no problem if you don’t know what any of that means!) Her contemporary, warm and engaging style breathes life into these meditation teachings.

Mira is passionate about meditation teachings on ancient Gods and Goddesses and how these teachings can work as a map for personal development. You can find out more about her work here: www.westernmysticism.com

Course fee: Sliding scale $30 – $40. Please contact Nicola if you are in need of a scholarship.

Western Mysticism

Tools for your life right now

16 August – 20 September 2017
6 week series integrated into your daily life
Wednesdays, 7pm – 8.30pm
In person, online or watch the recordings

Connecting to a more meaningful life, inviting growth and clarity

Discover a path of transformation that is directly relevant to modern life. Be refreshed by an ancient understanding that is a map to personal development; with meditations that contain deep healing and happiness. Delve into what’s holding you back from your fullest potential through a method that has been practiced for centuries. Look within to meet deep empowerment.

A Western solution for the challenges of the Western World

With Western Mysticism, you can explore how early Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Norse civilisations supported their societies to meet their lives with grace and insight. Learn how these classical practices can help with work, family, relationships and health concerns.

How does the series work?

The 6 weeks work as an urban retreat, bringing meditations subtly and gently into work, relationship and family life. Symbolism is discussed through Goddesses, Gods, the esoteric Tarot and Archetypes.

Which archetypes do we cover this series?

The Fool
The Magician
The High Priestess
The Empress
The Emperor
The Hierophant
Venus/Aphrodite/Passion/Desire
The Good Mother
Aries
Odin
Zeus
Hermes/Mercury
Horus
Selene/Luna
and much much more….

About Mira Riddiford: Mira is a New Zealand-based meditation and mindfulness teacher. With over 20 years of experience, she has been trained internationally through apprenticeship, retreat work and study. Mira’s warm and engaging style breathes life into these classical teachings.www.westernmysticism.com

Cost: $300 for the 6 classes/weeks, including Look Books for each week, meditations, and reading material.
Assisted rates are available.
Registration essential for course material and seating purposes
Contact Louise Mair for more information or register now.

Wellbeing of Body & Mind

Through the Unity of Eastern and Western Ancient Wisdom

The Divine Feminine & Masculine

Connecting to a more meaningful life

Discover a path of transformation that is directly relevant to your life. Be refreshed by an ancient understanding that is a map to personal development, with meditations that contain deep healing and happiness. Find out what is holding you back from your fullest potential through a method that has been practiced for centuries. Look within to meet deep empowerment.

With Western Mysticism, you can explore how early Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Norse civilisations supported their societies to meet their lives with grace and insight. Learn how these classical practices can help with work, family, relationships and health concerns.

About Mira Riddiford: Mira is a New Zealand-based meditation and mindfulness teacher. With over 20 years of experience, she has been trained internationally through apprenticeship, retreat work and study. Mira’s warm and engaging style breathes life into these classical teachings. www.westernmysticism.com

Qigong – Eastern Wisdom

Qigong is an ancient eastern health care system practiced for thousands of years for internal health that integrates physical postures, breathing techniques and mental focus. Qigong is a delightful practice of standing, sitting, and moving meditative methods that improve one’s health and vitality. Through gentle but profound movements, using the power of awareness, we will feel and move our way into groundedness and open-hearted ease.

About Giselle Martins: Giselle holds over 200hrs of Qigong Instructor training from Energy Arts School with Master Bruce Frantzis of Taoism water tradition passed down by Master Liu Hung Chieh and also from the fire tradition by Osho Divine Healing Exercises lineage. Giselle’s purpose is to bring awareness, supporting human beings to evolve into conscious beings. www.facebook.com/cosmiceaglespace

This workshop is a co-creation of Cosmic Healing, Western Mysticism,
and the Yoga Collective.

An evening on Western Mysticism

8 June 2017, 7pm

Nelson Buddhist Centre

87 Nile Street

Many of us seeking to experience mindfulness, meditation or enlightenment turn to Eastern spiritual traditions. But what can we inherit from Western spiritual wisdom?

In this evening talk, we will explore how early Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Norse civilisations supported their societies to meet their lives with grace and insight. Anyone with a love of classics, art history or even mythologically-themed films will find this subject matter fascinating and uplifting. These symbols and archetypes are very much present and alive in modern day culture.

Throughout time, spiritual traditions have recognised the value in humanising and personifying subjects. For instance, ancient Greek civilisationhonoured Pan as a way of nourishing laughter, playfulness and feeling connected to nature; ancient Norse civilisation revered Thor for strength and power, and ancient Roman civilisation cherished Huntress Diana for her love of the wild and protection of the divine feminine.

Great creative minds like Plato, Carl Jung and David Bowie studied archetypes for a profound reason; archetypes nourish our humanity and help us understand what propels civilisation. These contemplations have been created as a doorway to vast understanding.

Many people have Tarot cards sitting in their book shelves, but very few know about the esoteric, spiritual tradition that the Tarot has originated from. It is a complete path of enlightenment, one that has tremendous support for unfolding. It is a teaching that is filled with empowerment, joy, culture, playfulness, and ways of dealing with challenge. Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche taught the Western Mysteries throughout his life and was teaching it from his thirties.

About Mira Riddiford:
Mira is a New Zealand-based meditation and mindfulness teacher. With over 20 years of experience, she has been trained internationally through apprenticeship, retreat work and study. Mira’s warm and engaging style breathes life into these classical teachings. www.westernmysticism.com

What happens in a class?
The course content has been constructed to be explored in daily life. Each Wednesday a new theme is introduced which can then be utilised during the week.

These classes help with bringing awareness and presence into our daily activities – helping our wellbeing, work, relationships and family life feel more integrated.The Western meditations explore the subject matter and concerns of day to day life in an accessible and relatable way.

How does it work?
Throughout time, spiritual traditions have recognised the value in humanising and personifying subjects that are challenging to work with. For instance, the Greek civilisation contemplated Aphrodite as a way of acknowledging how nourishing the qualities of love can be.

In these classes, we will have the opportunity to explore these vital life experiences and see how we can strengthen and develop these human qualities further.

Three options for participation:

In person

Online live

View recording of class at your own pace and timing

Dates: Classes are on Wednesday evenings – 15th Feb until to 22nd of March

This seminar is an opportunity to explore mindfulness meditations that help increase the understanding and experiencing of feminine energy in a variety of ways.

Top universities have researched the science of how mindfulness increases the awareness of sensitivity and responsiveness in our bodies and nervous system. These benefits will be explained in this informative class by considering feminine energy in its broadest sense as:

a life enhancing vitality

linked to clarity, confidence and success

personal to yourself, an inner relatable experience

warmth, kindness, healing and strength

the more subtle connections between sexuality and femininity

The subject matter will explain how to contact and relate to feminine energy through classical and modern mindfulness meditation methods, and is suitable for beginner to advanced meditators.

Mira has over 20 years experience in classical and modern methods of mindfulness and meditation training. She is known for her kindness, warm sense of humour and engaging, inclusive teaching style. www.mindfulnesseffect.org

Mira gives personal meditation interviews through Skype and in person Book an interview

ARCHETYPE, SYMBOLISM AND CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY

We are delighted to announce the next Western Mystery series: Archetype, Symbolism and Classical Mythology with Mira Riddiford. There is an opportunity to attend these sessions in person or through Skype if you are not in Auckland, which has worked successfully in the previous series.

SYMBOLS!

Advertising, branding, music and film use them on us daily. In this series we will explore how ancient symbols – still in use today, can strengthen our consciousness.

Classical insight on how to thrive and enjoy the challenges of life

14th Sep until to 19th Oct, 7pm, 2016. Auckland and worldwide through Skype

Plato, Carl Jung, and many other great minds worked with Archetypes to explain and understand the fundamental characteristics of human nature and experience. These classes will explore the classical mythology of Pan, Artemis and The Tower, and how ancient Greek and Roman wisdom can help us live a life with greater meaning, peace, focus and joy.

BARE BONES MINDFULNESS

MINDFULNESS PRACTICES FOR DAILY LIFE AT THE NELSON BUDDHIST CENTRE

Thursday, June 9, 2016
7:00 PM

Nelson Buddhist Centre
87 Nile Street, Nelson

Meditation on the breath has been taught for centuries. Why is this compelling practice so fundamental? And what is its relevance now? How can something as integral as our breathing be so overlooked in our daily life? How can it help?

In this evening class Mira will draw from over 20 years of dedicated study and practise in meditation and mindfulness, and explain the benefits of both modern and classical ways of experiencing the life of breath.

“Mindfulness of breathing is a training method for focus, kindness, concentration, and clarity of mind and calm. It can create order in our bodies, communication and mind. It is a diagnostic tool, it gives immediate feedback.”

Mira works with people individually, in family sessions, groupsits, meditation classes and retreats. She is inclusive of all nationalities and is a strong supporter of diversity. Mira has 2 children, and understands the challenges and joys of modern living. Mira has given workshops for performance athletes on how to be with stress and anxiety when competing at the top level of their sport, and how to concentrate the mind and tune into their bodies signals for greater results. Mira also runs workplace mindfulness classes. Having been a production manager, an account manager and a creative, she understands the demands of a professional career.

Mira has taught Mindfulness in Education in New Zealand. Mira has also taught for the Haemophilia Foundation of NZ on how to manage the anxiety of living with an ongoing life threatening illness.

Mira is passionate about bringing the study of mindfulness from something dry and theoretical into the forefront of our hearts and minds.

THE WESTERN MEDITATIONS

EXPLORING WHAT IS ENLIVENING & SUPPORTIVE IN CONSCIOUSNESS

The Western Mysteries Tradition exists to help with living well in the daily life.

Most of us seeking experiences in mindfulness, meditation or enlightenment turn to Eastern spiritual traditions. But what of our Western spiritual inheritance? This six week introductory programme explores Western Archetypes like the Lovers, Strength and Justice, and explain how they can nourish and strengthen our innate creativity, health and intelligence.

Great minds like Plato and Carl Jung taught on Archetype for a profound reason; archetypes nourish our humanity and help us understand what propels civilisation. These contemplations have been created as a doorway to vast understanding.

Start Date: Wednesday, 3 February, 7pm – 8.30pm

End Date: Wednesday, 16 March, 7pm – 8.30pm

Where: McDermott Hall, 175 Garnett Road, Westmere
Course Fee: $150 for all six weeks, 50% discount for students. Plus dana.
Contact: Mira at info@aucklandsphere.org for more information or to register.

This series will be taught by Mira Riddiford, a teacher with 20 years of training in Mindfulness and Meditation.

THESE SIX CLASSES WILL COVER THE ESSENTIAL INTRODUCTORY TRAINING FOR MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION PRACTICE.

What is different about these sessions?
Classes will be practical and experiential, rather than having to read a great deal, or wrap your head around clinical theory.

The Enjoyment of Mindfulness
Bringing Mindfulness into our daily lives allows clarity to be developed. People can find it challenging to calm and concentrate their minds in a busy city. These sessions have been specifically crafted to quieten mind chatter, and feel the natural presence and relaxation of body, speech and mind.

Applicable to daily life

Easy to assimilate

Simple and achievable set of skills

There will be a lightness in how the course material is presented.

One need not be a beginner to come along, these will be practised-based sessions that anyone can enjoy.

Definition of Bare-Bones: reduced to or comprising only the basic or essential elements